Abstract: A turbine exhaust hood and related method of installation is disclosed. In one embodiment, the turbine exhaust hood includes: a housing having an end wall, the end wall including a first portion of a releasable coupling, and a first radially inner steam guide structure disposed within the housing, the first radially inner steam guide structure including a second portion of the releasable coupling, integral with a first end of the first radially inner steam guide structure. The first portion and the second portion of the releasable coupling releasably couple the first radially inner steam guide structure to the end wall.

Abstract: A steam turbine cowling system is disclosed. The steam turbine cowling system including: a lower portion configured to be disposed proximate an inner casing of a steam turbine; and an upper portion connected to at least one of the lower portion and the inner casing, the upper portion shaped to be disposed proximate the inner casing of the steam turbine, the upper portion substantially defining a flowpath about the inner casing.

Abstract: A remote adjustment and measurement system for a steam turbine nozzle assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, a steam turbine casing segment is disclosed including: a horizontal joint surface; a pocket having a first opening at the horizontal joint surface and a second opening substantially opposing the first opening; and a path accessible from a radially outward surface of the steam turbine casing segment, the path fluidly connected to the second opening of the pocket.

Abstract: A light system (FIG. 2) is disclosed. The light system includes a plurality of series connected light emitting diodes (240-246). Each of a plurality of switching devices (230-236) has a control terminal and each has a current path coupled in parallel with a respective LED. A plurality of fault detector circuits (220-226) are each coupled in parallel with a respective light emitting diode. Each fault detector circuit has a first comparator (FIG. 7, 704) arranged to compare a voltage across the respective light emitting diode to a respective first reference voltage (708). When a fault is defected, a control signal is applied to the control terminal to turn on a respective switching device of the plurality of switching devices.

Abstract: A personnel management system includes a personnel activity recording terminal, a subscriber terminal for receiving subscriber assignments, a server for receiving data from the personnel activity recording terminal and the subscriber terminal, and a database for storing the data received at the server. The server is arranged to compare the data received from the personnel activity recording terminal and the subscriber assignments and to allocate assignments to personnel.

Abstract: An arrangement is disclosed in which deflections and mechanical stresses in turbine low pressure casings are controlled by inserting struts between the turbine diaphragm ledge ring stages. Preferably, the struts are cylindrical in shape, although other different shapes can be used in accordance with the needs of different applications. The struts can be solid or hollow in construction, although preferably they are hollow to reduce the material needed to fabricate them. The struts are located around the turbine casing, as is required to connect together two ledge rings where there is high axial deflection in the casing.

Abstract: A single shell extraction casing includes a stepped shell which is formed from a plurality of circumferentially shaped ledge rings located along the axial length of the casing between turbine stages and covered by a casing wrapper. The stepped shell has a simpler construction than the double shell configuration of a conventional turbine extraction casing. Pockets for supporting diaphragms between the multiple stages in the stepped single shell extraction casing are connected directly between ledge rings so they are away from the casing wrapper. This decreases the amount of welding and manufacturing complexity needed to install the diaphragm support pockets.

Abstract: An extraction unit for a steam turbine includes an end plate mounted downstream of a selected stage of a steam turbine, the end plate sealing the selected stage from the atmosphere, and an extraction pipe passing through the end plate for extracting steam from the selected stage.

Abstract: A ducted fan core for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided that accommodates a wide variety of payloads. The ducted fan core comprises a frame, attached to which are an engine, gearbox assembly, fan, and a plurality of control vanes. A first surface on the frame comprises a plurality of connects or electrical traces. The plurality of connects are used to removably attach a variety of pods carrying various payloads. Thus, a wide variety of payloads may be delivered using the same unmanned aerial vehicle, simply by removing and attaching different pods to a fixed vehicle core. These pods may be shaped so as to form part of the vehicle exterior, and when the pods are attached to the frame, they enhance the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Abstract: A system and method for transmitting UAV position data to a central flight control center transmits UAV position data using a virtual transponder. A ground control station for controlling the UAV receives data from the UAV, including UAV position data. The UAV may provide GPS data, or corrected position data based on readings from an inertial navigation system. The ground control station transmits the UAV position data to a flight control center.

Abstract: A turbine casing segment is disclosed. In one embodiment, a turbine casing segment is disclosed including: a plurality of stage segments; a plurality of ledge ring partitions separating the plurality of stage segments, wherein at least one of the plurality of ledge ring partitions has an axially extending aperture therethrough; and a substantially rounded extraction aperture located flush with an inner surface of one of the plurality of stage segments.

Abstract: A support arrangement is provided for an inner casing of a turbine having an inner casing with upper and lower sections secured together along a first interface lying substantially in a horizontal plane containing a longitudinal centerline of a turbine rotor. An outer shell substantially encloses the inner casing, and in the inner casing is supported directly on an external foundation at a mounting location below the longitudinal centerline.

Abstract: A ducted fan air vehicle having increased storage capacity inside the duct for equipment and electronics provides improved airflow and fan efficiency over ducted fan air vehicles carrying cargo in external pods. The outside of the duct may extend outwardly to allow equipment and electronics to be stored inside the duct in storage areas located at intervals along the duct. The storage areas may form a square duct having a circular inside wall. Additionally, the storage areas may extend in the direction of the axis of rotation of the fan to provide additional storage above the lower lip of the duct.

Abstract: A structural ring interconnect printed circuit board assembly for a ducted fan unmanned aerial vehicle that comprises a printed circuit board attached to a core vehicle body, wherein the printed circuit board conforms to the shape of the core vehicle body's airframe skirt, and wherein the printed circuit board provides structural integrity to the core vehicle body.

Abstract: A steam turbine casing stiffening system is disclosed. In one embodiment, a steam turbine inner casing stiffening system is disclosed, including: an inner casing segment; and a stiffening member affixed to and extending radially outward from an external surface of the inner casing segment, the stiffening member configured to support at least a portion of the inner casing segment.

Abstract: Supports for a first casing of a turbomachine are disclosed that each include a thermal control system to control thermal expansion thereof. The thermal control system may include: a sealed duct surrounding a support column of the turbomachine, the duct being coupled to a source of a cooling fluid flow, and/or a hollow leg supporting the inner casing on the support column with a conduit supplying operative fluid, e.g., steam, from a stage of turbomachine to the hollow leg.

Abstract: A pod for an unmanned aerial vehicle is provided that may be removed and re-attached to the vehicle. The pod comprises an outer shell, within which a variety of payloads may be carried. A first surface on the vehicle frame comprises a plurality of connects or electrical traces. The plurality of attachments are used to removably attach the pods to the first surface. Thus, a wide variety of payloads may be delivered using the same unmanned aerial vehicle, simply by removing and attaching different pods to a fixed vehicle core. These pods may be shaped so as to form part of the vehicle exterior, and when the pods are attached to the frame, they enhance the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

Abstract: A remote adjustment and measurement system for a steam turbine nozzle assembly is disclosed. In one embodiment, a steam turbine casing segment is disclosed including: a horizontal joint surface; a pocket having a first opening at the horizontal joint surface and a second opening substantially opposing the first opening; and a path accessible from a radially outward surface of the steam turbine casing segment, the path fluidly connected to the second opening of the pocket.

Abstract: A vertical non-bladdered fuel tank for a ducted fan vehicle comprising: a pod that releasably connects to a core vehicle of a ducted fan vehicle, a vertical fuel tank contained by the pod, wherein the vertical fuel tank is centered between the fore and aft sides of the pod, an outlet in a floor of the vertical fuel tank located adjacent to a sidewall on the fore side of the vertical fuel tank, wherein the outlet is coupled to a draw tube contained by the core vehicle, and a pressure release vent located at the highlight of the pod's duct.

Abstract: A fuel line air trap for an unmanned aerial vehicle has a vessel in-line with a fuel line, fuel line connectors, and fuel inlet and outlet stems. The vessel contains an inlet at a distal end and an outlet at a proximal end. The fuel line connectors are attached to the vessel at the inlet and at the outlet to connect the fuel line to the vessel. The fuel inlet stem attaches to the vessel at the inlet and a fuel outlet stem attaches to the vessel at the outlet. Both the fuel inlet stem and fuel outlet stem protrude into the vessel a predetermined distance such that a gap exists between them. As air bubbles enter the gap in the fuel line air trap, they separate from the flow of fuel and migrate to the exterior walls of the vessel. The air bubbles are purged during remain trapped refueling.